Kings deal goaltender for Cornwall veteran

May 5, 2014

Kingston Kings have acquired defensive specialist Brad Lauzon from the Cornwall Celtics, the Ontario Junior C Lacrosse League club announced Monday.

“Brad is a veteran player who will give the Kings an immediate boost,” Kings coach Andrew MacKay said. “He will be a defensive role player and a leader on our roster. He has championship experience and he knows how to win.”

Lauzon played 59 games for the Celtics in the last three years — 26 of them in the playoffs — and they won the East division championship each time. During his time there, Cornwall won 11 of 12 games against the Kings. Last fall, Lauzon played his rookie season in the Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association with Laurentian.

Lauzon was obtained in exchange for the rights to goaltender Lucas Houle, who played the last three seasons with the Brockville Ballistic. As the closest junior club, geographically, Houle’s rights defaulted to Kingston when the Ballistic folded after last season.

Houle played the last two periods of the Kings’ preseason game with Gloucester Friday, allowing eight goals. After the game, he requested his release to join the Celtics.

“We were happy to respect the young man’s wish,” general manager Claude Scilley said, “but Lucas is a proven goaltender in this league and we had to get something in return. We were fortunate that Brad became available.”

MacKay, who was an assistant coach with the Celtics in 2011-12, is familiar with Lauzon, the son of former Cornwall coach Shawn Lauzon. “I am excited to have Brad become part of the Kings and can’t wait to see him in action against his former club this Thursday.”

The Lauzon deal was the second consummated Sunday by the Kings. Earlier, they sent the rights to defender Carey Roche, another ex-Brockville player, to the Gloucester Griffins for a future consideration.